Enhancing mechanical and physical performance of basalt/nylon fiber metal laminates with SiC nanoparticles

This study explores the effect of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles on both the mechanical and physical characteristics of aluminum-laminated hybrid composites reinforced with basalt and nylon fibers, representing a previously unexplored basalt-nylon hybrid fiber metal laminate system modified with SiC nanoparticles. The composites were made through a hand lay-up process, followed by compression molding and surface lamination with chemically treated aluminum sheets. SiC particles were incorporated at 0, 3, and 5 wt% to optimize the mechanical and physical attributes and to evaluate their influence on tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and water absorption behavior. The results show that only the highest tensile properties were achieved with 5 wt% SiC (SiC5), but other properties declined. However, 3 wt% SiC (SiC3) provided the best overall performance. Specifically, the tensile strength showed an increase from 117.71 MPa for the control sample (CS) to 121.19 MPa for SiC3, corresponding to an improvement of approximately 3%. In contrast, the flexural strength increased by about 5% in SiC3 and achieved a maximum flexural strength of 173.85 MPa compared to the control sample (CS). Moreover, the tensile and flexural moduli improved significantly by 159% and 46%, respectively, over the unfilled control specimen. A moderate improvement in impact resistance was also observed. Additionally, water absorption decreased by nearly 16% relative to CS, which is likely due to the uniform dispersion of SiC nanoparticles and the resulting improvement in barrier properties. However, a rise in SiC content to 5 wt% caused a decline in flexural strength, impact resistance, and moisture resistance, although the highest tensile strength of 122.3 MPa was achieved at this loading, likely due to particle agglomeration as well as void formation, as confirmed by SEM analysis.